 The Birmingham, Ala., native returned in spring to the place he resided for 17 years, including six as offensive coordinator.

 He left Tennessee after the 1998 season to become head coach at Mississippi.

 Cutcliffe compiled a 44-29 record with the Rebels from 1999-2004 and coached Ole Miss to four bowl victories against one loss. He was the only Rebels coach in history to win at least seven games in each of his first five seasons.

 He was named assistant head coach (offense)/quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame early in 2005.

 Reluctantly resigned that position with the Fighting Irish a few months later after undergoing triple heart bypass surgery.

 Under Cutcliffe's tutelage as offensive coordinator from 1993-99, Tennessee twice led the SEC in total offense and three times was the league's rushing leader. The Vols led the SEC in scoring in 1993 and placed second nationally with an average of 42.8 points per game.

 The Vols were 63-11 during that span with three East Division crowns, two league championships and the 1998 national title.

 Cutcliffe, 51, received the Frank Broyles Award in 1998 as the nation's top assistant coach and was a finalist for the honor in 1997.

 Coaching awards continued Cutcliffe's way during his Ole Miss tenure. He was selected SEC Coach of the Year in 2003 by his fellow league coaches while leading the Rebels to a share of the SEC Western Division crown.

 Cutcliffe attended Alabama and received his degree in health, physical education and recreation in 1976.

 He returned to his roots at Banks (Ala.) High School as an assistant for four years before being named head coach in 1980. His teams reached the state playoffs three times as an assistant and in both his seasons as head coach.

 His first collegiate coaching position at Tennessee saw Cutcliffe serve as quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

 In the position of quarterbacks coach, Cutcliffe supervised the development of future NFL first-round draft picks Heath Shuler and Peyton Manning as they rewrote the Tennessee records book. Before them, Cutcliffe mentored Andy Kelly, who has gone on to a long and noteworthy career in arena football.

 Cutcliffe is married to the former Karen Oran of Harriman and they are the parents of three children -- Chris, Katie, Emily and Marcus Hilliard, adopted family member.